Spare bedroom advice

7 years ago

Hi all. This is my first Houzz post. I love the website and everyone's photos and ideas! I would really appreciate your advice on my spare bedroom redecoration please.

I live in a house built in 1902 with lots of lovely original features. In the spare bedroom I'm wanting to start working on there's a built in wooden cupboard, black cast-iron fireplace and stained glass single-pane windows with wooden frames.

I want to redecorate the house sympathetically, maintaining and enhancing as many features as possible whilst also living comfortably and functionally as a 21st century family (pets not children!).

WINDOWS

In this room I would like to keep the original windows and have been having a battle with my husband over these. I think secondary glazing is the way to go to retain the stained glass and wooden frames however, he thinks we should get the windows double glazed. Aesthetically I think I'm right, functionally he might be right - we get condensation and he says behind secondary glazing the windows will always be condensed and misted. We're also not sure about the ease of opening secondary glazed windows. We want to consider aesthetics, energy efficiency, functionality and price in making a final decision and would appreciate any advice in this area please.

FIREPLACE

I'm planning on redecorating the room in a shabby-chic style with pink walls and white distressed wooden furniture. I want to keep the cast-iron fireplace but it's black. I can either keep it as it is and it would perhaps be a nice contrast to the girliness but I think if it were white it would fit better. Does anyone have any advice as to the ease, process and cost of repainting the fireplace please?

FLOORBOARDS

I'd really like bare (white painted) floorboards instead of carpet but my husband is horrified by the thought and trying to find any excuse possible to say no! I've found lots of online advice as to how to paint the floorboards and prep in terms of washing down but I've been completely unable to find anything about how to make them energy efficient - specifically there are some huge gaps between some of the boards which would need attention and generally I've heard floorboards can be draughty. Also (again I've researched online and been unable to find anything) if I wanted these done professionally who would I hire? A painter and decorator/flooring company/joiner/all 3/someone else?

BED

Finally! (sorry) I'd love a kingsize white sleigh bed but am struggling to find anything other than one on Laura Ashley which I'm not keen on - the front and bottom have distinct panels marked in them and I would prefer whole pieces. (That's difficult to describe in writing!).

Sorry if I've rambled on too much, any constructive criticism about posting is welcome :) Can't wait to hear your thoughts and ideas on my plans and questions. Thanks in advance.

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Comments (2)

Jonathan
7 years ago
I had secondary glazing at a previous house and hated the look of it.
I think your original windows add to the value of your house and depending on your area you may devalue it if you replace them.
As far as keeping the warm in you could add better loft insulation, thick full length curtains, buy a chimney balloon to seal drafts and put reflector panels behind the radiator to reflect heat into the room.
Flooring- I think you won't escape drafts with bare boards so you should cover it. I think you can achieve the look with a natural floor covering but if you are set on a wood floor you could cover your existing floor with new boards or an engineered wood.
Furniture- I think you can make mismatched furniture work together by painting it all the same colour. This means you can consider a wood sleigh bed and paint it.
Best of luck
Ernestine thanked Jonathan
PRO
User
7 years ago
On the floorboard topic. We did in fact in one of our houses lay new 'reclaimed boards' over the top of the existing and put a membrane underneath to stop the drafts. You can also employ a carpenter to put slivers in the gaps and fill, this will work well, especially if you plan to paint the boards.

I personally prefer carpets in bedrooms and floorboards downstairs just for comfort and of course heat loss especially if you plan to keep the original windows.

Looking forwards:- When you come to re-sell, a sympathetic set of double glazed windows will in my opinion leave the value the same if not more than original single glazed, after all it's not a listed building.

Energy reports are important and single glazed etc just won't perform well in those circumstances.

Bed:- I'd go for a cast iron, victorian if we're going period sympathetic, they have the added advantage of creating the illusion of space in smaller rooms as you can obviously see under them and they don't block floor space.
Ernestine thanked User
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I'd get a shorter, alternative sofa bed, the kind that opens out lengthways. Like the one I am attempting to give away on freecycle currently :-) And put it under the window. As you're planning to use the room for storage and laundry I'd plan a floor to ceiling range of cupboards where the mattress is, so it can be all stored away. I'm a recent convert to the joys of pax wardrobes. Theyre modular and great for all kinds of storage.
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Spare bedroom advice

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Jonathan

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